The Knights of Columbus Council have introduced “Christmas Dedication Trees”
Thanks to the Knights of Columbus Council 6520, a new Christmas tradition has started in Medford.
On Dec. 9, the Knights and approximately 300 others gathered outside of St. Mary of the Lakes church for the illumination of 170 Christmas trees lining the perimeter of the church. Each tree was decorated and lit as a means of honoring a loved one who has passed.
The idea sprouted in July when Bill Scheffold joined the Knights and proposed the idea to the council. He has attended a similar celebration at St. Peter’s Church in Merchantville for the past two years, and wanted to find a way to incorporate an event into the Medford community.
Scheffold said the idea was accepted and the rest of the Knights ran with it.
“My goal is to start a tradition here at St. Mary’s that will go for a long time for people’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren,” Scheffold said. “Is it a dream? Yeah, but dreams become reality a lot of the time. When people get that sense of community like there is at St. Mary of the Lakes, I think the tradition will grow and be strong.”
The inaugural event began inside the church with a Christmas concert, followed by refreshments outside near a fire pit and ultimately the lighting of the trees outside, after Rev. Father Dan Swift blessed the trees.
“I’m always open to trying something new. This was something that really went above and beyond my expectations. This is just evidence of how God has blessed us,” Swift said. “It was a great night for St. Mary’s and a great way to kick off the Christmas season.”
Grand Knight of the council, Mickey Zawatcki, said that he didn’t expect the idea to expand into such a large event, and the community gave great feedback — with many families showing up in the days prior to the event to decorate their trees in honor of their loved ones.
“We didn’t realize how this was going to personally affect a lot of people in the parish,” Zawatcki said. “It’s been a touching event watching families come up here to remember their families.”
Paul Abeln traveled from Pennsylvania to be with the rest of his family during the illumination of a tree dedicated to his father. He stated that he is a member of Knights of Columbus for his local church, and the Knight’s efforts should not go unnoticed.
“They’re a phenomenal outreach organization. The fact that they’re doing this to help families recognize loved ones and to help in donations to further support the causes of different charities, I think it’s a wonderful thing,” Abeln said. “It’s the kind of thing that just brings people together, particularly this time of year.”
The funds raised from the purchase of trees go to support St. Mary of the Lakes School and toward charity projects the Knights partake in within the community.
The remaining trees that did not sell were dedicated to the Medford Police Department, Medford EMS, first responders and military personnel.
Next year, the Knights hope to make the event a “Christmas festival” by including pictures with Santa and other activities for families to enjoy.
